Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

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George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust opened in 1948 and provides a range of elective, non-elective, surgical, medical, women's, children's, diagnostic and therapeutic services to a population of more than 350,000 people.

The hub of the Trust is located on the outskirts of Nuneaton and its services cover a large footprint, including north Warwickshire, south west Leicestershire, and north Coventry. We also provide primary and community services across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

Our vision is "to EXCEL at patient care". If you think you've got what it takes, help us realise this and join #TeamEliot.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour aren't as likely to apply unless they meet every qualification of non specialist roles.

We're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role and meet our values, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with everything in the Job Description or Person Specification- apply anyway or email the Recruiting Manager to discuss the role further

We are proud to support the Armed Forces community. We are a Veteran Aware and Reservist Friendly organisation and welcome applications from Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and family members of serving personnel.

Job overview

Job Title-Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Hours per week-37.5

Perm/Fixed Term-1 permanent & 1 secondment

Salary- £43,742 - £50,056 per annum pro rota

Closing Date- 29th May 2024

Interview Date- 5th June 2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) team at George Eliot Hospital. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our team as an Infection Prevention & Control specialist working at band 6 to join our hard working, friendly & supportive team.

The role will require you to work across the trust and also provide IPC specialist support within our Community Sexual Health and Dental Clinics.

The post holder will be responsible for providing specialist IPC advice and support staff and teams working in both the acute and community settings to ensure good adherence to good practice in IPC.

This post may close early due to high numbers of applications so you are advised to apply promptly.

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.

Careers at George Eliot - 'Where you make a difference'

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job include:

Work effectively as part of the IPC Team to provide a timely and effective Infection Prevention and Control Service under the supervision of the Lead Nurse to meet the competing needs of the service

To assist in the development and delivery of education programmes for all disciplines of staff, including Trust induction, mandatory Updates, hand hygiene training and all other Infection Prevention and Control study sessions/days.

Support the Lead nurse for Infection Prevention and Control on ensuring that the Trust is compliant with all local and national legislation around infection prevention and control, including the Health and Social Care Act 2008

To take responsibility for own evidence-based practice and implement and add to the body of knowledge that supports nursing practice within the IPC Team.

Working for our organisation

Here at George Eliot our vision to 'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:

Effective Open Communication

excellence and safety in everything we do

Challenge but support

Expect respect and dignity

Local health that inspires confidence

Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Clinical

Maintain a high clinical profile, develop and maintain outstanding working relationships with all wards and departments within the Trust

Provide specialist advice to health care workers at all levels on the infection prevention and control practices required to minimise risks of infection to patients and staff.

Assists clinical staff in answering patient carers concerns and complaints with issues relating to infection prevention and control.

To identify and investigate outbreaks of infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread and liaise closely with all relevant personnel within the Trust and externally i.e. the Health Protection Agency. Advice on management and controls of outbreaks, produce reports on all incidents and make recommendations

To have joint responsibility for working closely and supporting the Matrons and Ward Nurses in the implementation of infection prevention and control policies, development of action plans following audit and support in the investigation and root cause analysis of increased incidents of infection of any untoward incidents in relation to infection prevention and control issues.

Advise and provide information on Infection Control issues relating to food hygiene, equipment decontamination and maintenance, purchasing of equipment, hotel services and building works.

Represent the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Team on multi disciplinary committees as appropriate e.g. Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPACC), Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Decontamination.

To provide effective and timely advice in relation to infection prevention and control in the planning of new buildings and refurbishment programmes

Provide and generate information/reports to incorporate into the quarterly and annual infection prevention and control reports.

Participate in mandatory surveillance of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAl's).

Assist in the review of Infection Prevention and Control policies as agreed in the annual Infection Prevention and Control annual programme based upon evidence based guidance.

2. Research and Audit

Implement and introduce formal audits, as per the annual IPCT programme of work to demonstrate compliance to Infection Prevention and Control Policies.

Actively participate on clinical audit projects in collaboration with other specialities as necessary, to promote a high standard of patient care, feeding back results and managing change in accordance with research-based evidence.

To participate in the promotion and development of the specialty by publishing and presenting innovations, audit and research findings locally and nationally

3. Education

Develop and deliver education and training programmes as outlined in the Trusts Training Matrix e.g., Corporate Trust induction, Mandatory updates for all disciplines on the various aspects of infection prevention and control practice, including members of the public and volunteers. To review annually and update these programmes as necessary.

Produce suitable written educational materials e.g., leaflets for MRSA, Clostridioides difficle, TB for patients and the general public and play an active role in the education of patients, carers and the public.

Contribute in the Trusts and all Infection Prevention and Control study days/sessions for e.g. Link Nurses.

To maintain personal development in this speciality so advice and information is based on accurate current evidence-based knowledge, research, strategies and statutory requirements

To participate in own individual performance review, developing and acting on a Personal Development Plan, {PDP) in conjunction with the Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control

Attend and represent the Trust in the field of infection prevention control at district, regional and national meetings and conferences as required.

4. Communication

Always act in a professional, supportive and sensitive manner when speaking to staff, patients and relatives about specific infections and conditions

Challenge poor or unsafe practice. Identify non-compliance with Trust guidelines and Infection Prevention and Control policies and report via the appropriate Trust systems

Continually act as a professional role model demonstrating excellent Infection Prevention and Control practice at all times, exhibiting high standard of professional dress and professional behaviour at all times.

This job description is intended as a guide to the principal duties and responsibilities for the post and should not be considered an exhaustive list. It is subject to change in line with future development of the infection prevention and control service.

Person specification

Qualifications and Professional Training

Essential criteria

• Relevant current professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Desirable criteria

• Teaching Qualification.
• Qualification in Infection Prevention and Control.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Experience at Band 6 in Infection Prevention and Control.
• Ability to demonstrate clinical and professional knowledge.
• Evidence of leadership and change management.
• Evidence of managing own workload with excellent time management skills.
• Experience of designing, delivering, and evaluating training programmes for a variety of clinical staff.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Proven advanced clinical knowledge and skills in Infection Control.
• Ability to manage complex clinical and operational situations in relation to Infection Control, which involve staff from all levels within an organisation.
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate staff on Infection Control issues.
• Developed skills in the audit of incident investigation processes.
• Specialist knowledge of strategies, directives, and developments pertinent to Infection Control.
• Able to identify risks, potential risks and advise on solutions to mitigate these.
• Good IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Able to demonstrate good report writing skills.

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of organisational management issues.

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Ability to form positive working relationships.
• Ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
• Flexible and able to work within a challenging environment, meeting the needs of the service.

Please note:

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust utilises a third party recruitment system (TRAC). When applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into TRAC where all subsequent information regarding your application will be generated. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages via the NHS Jobs website. Furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any emails/messages sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.

By applying for this post you are consenting to George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system, TRAC.

The Job application data you provide will be used to assess your application for employment at GEH, to verify your information and conduct reference checks, and to communicate with you. If you accept employment with GEH, the information collected will become part of your employment record and will be used for employment purposes.

All information provided will be used for recruitment purposes only and processed in a lawful, fair and transparent manner.

Other:

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice, if appropriate for the role, it is a mandatory requirement for all newly appointed staff to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service application.

In response to NICE guidance and to support the reduction of health harm from tobacco, the Trust has a smoke-free site policy which applies to anyone on Trust sites. Staff who smoke will be supported to quit or not smoke whilst on Trust sites.

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees as they are at the heart of our patients journey. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued, respected, empowered and included within an organisation that is representative of all members of the community. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual - taking pride in that we value employees, job applicants, students, volunteers, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our excel behaviours with a vision to create a workplace that represents a culture of kindness, joy and inclusion.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Band 7 Job Description (PDF, 464.4KB)
• Band 7 Person Specification (PDF, 304.6KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 656.5KB)